Lady Chaps Debut at #1 in NAIA Preseason Poll

The Lubbock Christian softball team is the favorite in the 2009 NAIA Softball Coaches' Top 25 Preseason Poll. The Lady Chaparrals, who won their first national title last year in their inaugural season, received 20 of the possible 23 first place votes and 650 total points.

LCU returns all but one player from last year's national championship team. The Lady Chaps will be led by four returning seniors, including infielders Raquel Hawkins, Honda Rodriguez and Ginalee Davis and pitcher/outfielder Kelly Griego. It is the second time LCU has earned the top ranking. They earned the nation's top spot last season in the NAIA's second in-season rating, which was released on March 26th.

Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) earned the other three first place votes and compiled 630 total points. The Sea Lions will return three key players from last season, including seniors Melissa Gomez and Kayla Luttmers and junior Tyler Lent and Jell Schaefer.

California Baptist received 608 total points at No. 3 while Saint Gregory's (Okla.) earned 581 total points at No. 4 and Dickinson State (N.D.) compiled 550 total points at No. 5.

TCU needed a win to keep NCAA Tourney hopes alive and they jumped out to a 38-17 halftime and they held off a 4th quarter run by the Lady Raiders as they posted a 72-60 at the United Supermarkets Arena Wednesday.

TCU needed a win to keep NCAA Tourney hopes alive and they jumped out to a 38-17 halftime and they held off a 4th quarter run by the Lady Raiders as they posted a 72-60 at the United Supermarkets Arena Wednesday.

Players from the United States pose for the camera before the semifinal round of the women's hockey game against Finland at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Gangneung, South Korea, Monday, Feb. 19, 2018. (Matt Slocum/Pool Photo via AP)

Team USA won the first meeting between the neighboring nations at the 1998 Winter Olympics. The Canucks have won every other meeting.

Team USA won the first meeting between the neighboring nations at the 1998 Winter Olympics. The Canucks have won every other meeting.